Need advice on Mormon Missionary's

[Daniel_Marsh]

Unless you are filled with the Holy Spirit and are a missionary to them, don’t go. If you must, then take someone with you who is experienced in meeting their claims.

On the basic level, everytime they quote the bible stop them, look up the passage and 7 out of 10 times the passage will be out of context and will in fact often contradict the point they are trying to make.

For example, they will quote “there are gods many, and lords many”, but they will leave out “one God” in this passage.

1 Corinthians 8:5-6 (King James Version)

5For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

6But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Isaiah 43:10 (King James Version)

Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that** I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.**

 

[DeeAnn]

Distancing myself from them was what i was trying to avoid. I think that it will be inevitable because ultimately i won’t be converted and that might not sit well with them. I dont feel the “spirit” in their church the way i do in a catholic mass. The Catholic church certainly have people who are friendly with each other its probley more to do with the fact that I’m not local

Melmac,
I’m LDS and and I can tell you that they aren’t going to stop being your friend if you don’t join the church. In fact, they will probably be delighted to have a non-member participate in various activities. You can certainly be friends without joining.

Having said that, there may be an occasional uncomfortable discussion when someone asks personal questions like “when are you going to join the church”. Most people are tactful enough not to venture there, but some aren’t. Just smile and tell the truth. “I love the people here, but I’m not comfortable with the doctrine.”

Best wishes.

DeeAnn

 

[Pete99]

Melmac,
I was raised Mormon, married in the temple, the whole thing. I am now a Roman Catholic Youth minister. I also do a little volunteer work from time to time for the Coming Home Network and help answer questions from Mormons who are either considering becoming Catholic or who are becoming Catholic.
If you need any help or advice, feel free to send me a private message and I will send you my contact info, email, phone number etc. I will talk with you as much or as little as you need.
Peace.

 

[Kristine1957]

Melmac,
I’m LDS and and I can tell you that they aren’t going to stop being your friend if you don’t join the church. In fact, they will probably be delighted to have a non-member participate in various activities. You can certainly be friends without joining.

Having said that, there may be an occasional uncomfortable discussion when someone asks personal questions like “when are you going to join the church”. Most people are tactful enough not to venture there, but some aren’t. Just smile and tell the truth. “I love the people here, but I’m not comfortable with the doctrine.”

Best wishes.

DeeAnn

Sad to say but many mormons will be your friend until they figure out your not willing to convert. Then you either join and become one of them or you get ignored. There activities will no longer include you if your not LDS.

 

[curious67]

Dear Melmac,
Please do not join the Mormons just because they make you feel good, and accepted. Remember that when you attend Mass, you are praying with all Catholics attending Mass all over God’s creation, as well as with Mary, the Saints, Angels, Souls in Purgatory, need I say more? You belong to a worldwide family who loves you, and we don’t even know you, but we all pray for you as we pray for everybody. So, just because the parishioners at your parish don’t seem warm and fuzzy doesn’t mean they don’t care. I do care about you and all Christians, and I know many others do as well, especially those who are posting replys to help you right now. To be a good Catholic, means to be a great Christian, ie: we care for others. If you came to my parish, and approached me with a “hello”, I would reply, “nice to meet you”.
Don’t be afraid to open up to fellow Catholic Christians, you may be pleasantly surprised. I also was just about lured away by an Alliance church member, he told me to question my Catholic faith, I, like you didn’t know all the answers, I kinda felt stupid, but once I started studying more about my own faith, sacraments, etc…, watching EWTN, reading the bible, reading this and other websites, I fell more in love with my faith than I ever was. Boy am I glad that person coaxed me to question my faith, best thing I ever did for my soul.
God Bless.

 

[JTBT]

Dear Melmac,

this will only be my second post on this site, but i hope it helps you.
I have mormon friends myself and we have not stopped being friends because we disagree, that being said you do need to know the LDS church teaches a lot of things that they will not tell you up front. for example the LDS teach “ye shall be as Gods” . That is they teach the young men that they can become Gods of there own plant. I am not trying to be anti-mormon I am just telling you what I have found out though my conversations with my mormon friends. if you do not believe me look up the teachings of LDS President Lorenzo Snow.
If you are looking for a church and there are no Catholic Churches in your area may I suggest that you go to a Protestant church in your area. the divide between Catholicism and Protestantism is far less than between LDS and Catholic, for example we hold to the dogma of the Holy Trinity. I hope this helps.

In Christ,
JTBT

 

[Olivermax]

My advice is that you read an objective history of Joseph Smith. I promise you you will be disgusted and wonder how so many smart people can follow such an obvious fraud. He was into occult activities (peep stones, and water- witching, among other things). He was also a serial adulterer, who conveniently came up with the “doctrine” of “plural marriage” to cover up his serial sexcapades.

Then I suggest you read some really good books on the Catholic religion. One of my favorites is “Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic” by David Currie. Another favorite that will strengthen your faith is The Dolorous Passion of our Lord.

Then I suggest you volunteer at your church, or start your own bible study club.

 

[why_me]

My advice is that you read an objective history of Joseph Smith. I promise you you will be disgusted and wonder how so many smart people can follow such an obvious fraud. He was into occult activities (peep stones, and water- witching, among other things). He was also a serial adulterer, who conveniently came up with the “doctrine” of “plural marriage” to cover up his serial sexcapades.

Then I suggest you read some really good books on the Catholic religion. One of my favorites is “Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic” by David Currie. Another favorite that will strengthen your faith is The Dolorous Passion of our Lord.

Then I suggest you volunteer at your church, or start your own bible study club.

Have you read Rough Stone Rolling by Richard Bushman? It was recently published in 2005 by Knopf. I would recommend that book to you.

Of course, when I read your post I saw the bianess of your thoughts. First, you describe JS the way you did. Then, you recommend some really good catholic books.

As strange as this may sound, most protestants can recommend some nasty books about catholicism and then recommend some really good protestant books. But in the end, it will not make anyone more understanding or less prejudiced.

 

[why_me]

I have not really been able to make any connections in the parish since I became Catholic. Mostly, that may be because my wife is still Mormon. I go to soup suppers, etc. and am basically ignored! I guess that’s o.k. because I’m more interested in the truth than in a social club, but if you’re just looking for a great group to socialize with you’d probably become a Mormon. I’m still closer socially to the people in my wife’s ward than I am to people at the parish. Unfortunately, the LDS Church is completely false.

And yet, Bart, just how people are treated by other people is a sign of their genuine christianity. Christianity is not just about saying several rote prayers in church or at home. But rather, it is demonstrated in how christians reach out and ‘love’ their neighbor in christ.

 

[why_me]

There activities will no longer include you if your not LDS.

I haven’t found this to be the case. But like people everywhere mormons are not perfect. They also make mistakes when dealing with people. But people are always welcome to join their cultural events and socials. No problem.

 

[Margarite]

Hi I’ve been recently visited by 2 mormon missionary’s and invited to their church. The people are friendly, very earnest in their beliefs. My dilemma is that i like these people and their friendship but the more i learn about this religion the more farfetched it seems. I feel i don’t have the right to “put down” someone else’s beliefs. The missionarys have an answer to all my questions so much so it leaves my head swimming. The forum seems a great place to put forward opinions, but I’m dealing face to face and i don’t know what to say. I’m a little worried of getting in to deep because the community spirit is so enticing. Any ideas people?

Read INSIDE MORMONISM.
It is a book by a priest who became a Moron, and then came back home. He has every Bible verse opposition you could ever need or want.
Yours Through Our Lady,
Margarite

 

[BartBurk]

And yet, Bart, just how people are treated by other people is a sign of their genuine christianity. Christianity is not just about saying several rote prayers in church or at home. But rather, it is demonstrated in how christians reach out and ‘love’ their neighbor in christ.

Genuine Christians believe in Christ, not fairy tales like Mormons do.

 

[Olivermax]

Have you read Rough Stone Rolling by Richard Bushman? It was recently published in 2005 by Knopf. I would recommend that book to you.

Of course, when I read your post I saw the bianess of your thoughts. First, you describe JS the way you did. Then, you recommend some really good catholic books.

As strange as this may sound, most protestants can recommend some nasty books about catholicism and then recommend some really good protestant books. But in the end, it will not make anyone more understanding or less prejudiced.

I wasn’t criticizing the mormon people, I was criticizing Joseph Smith. I believe he was a fraud at best, and at worst, a man who received his powers (because he did have powers, much like Hitler, only on a smaller scale) from Satan.

What is “bianess” ? That is not in my dictionary.

 

[Jerusha]

Go ahead and read Rough Stone Rolling by Bushman. When an LDS-approved author is forced by public information to get that honest about JS, you KNOW the end is coming!!

 

[JulieAB]

I agree with Margarite; read Isaiah Bennet’s “Inside Mormonism”. He is an ex-Catholic priest who was lured into the LDS church, married in the temple and served as an “apologist” for them until he realized he could not make their theology work. He returned to the Faith a few years later. He also wrote a smaller book called, “When Mormons Call” which is smaller and might be a quicker introduction to the Mormon missionaries and their beliefs.

My husband is an ex-Mormon. His family traces back to original settlers to the Idaho territory from the Mormon settlers. The LDS church has many good things about it, such as the Ladies Relief Society that helps members who need assistance for illness, loss of job, childbirth, etc. However, in the few times I have accompanies my mother-in-law to her services, I must say I am not impressed. There is no WORSHIP as we know it. Very scripture and BoM based. Prayer very individual. He had a bad experience in his home town when he chose not to go on mission; basically, his bishop told him he was wrong after he prayed about whether he should go or not. Then he was ostracized by the community overnight. Lost his coaching position, his teaching position at the church and his girlfriend’s father met him at the door and told him he was no longer welcome! This type of thing is present in ANY close community, no matter what their beliefs. That must be why St. Paul was so harsh with the gossips in his letters…

 

[Elric]

Of course, when I read your post I saw the bianess of your thoughts. First, you describe JS the way you did. Then, you recommend some really good catholic books.

Where exactly was the bias?

Did Mr Smith do these things or not?

 

[melmac]

Melmac,
I’m LDS and and I can tell you that they aren’t going to stop being your friend if you don’t join the church. In fact, they will probably be delighted to have a non-member participate in various activities. You can certainly be friends without joining.

Having said that, there may be an occasional uncomfortable discussion when someone asks personal questions like “when are you going to join the church”. Most people are tactful enough not to venture there, but some aren’t. Just smile and tell the truth. “I love the people here, but I’m not comfortable with the doctrine.”

Best wishes.

DeeAnn

Thanks DeeAnn, I would like to remain friends I have decided to ask them not to press me just to let me co exist. I already know i cant join them in their study/worship of Joseph Smith I would be to afraid of jumping up and blurting something they wouldnt want to hear.

 

[melmac]

[QUO TE=why me;3328733]Rumors were perhaps spread by both sides. But difficult to know who to believe in the sara case.

Ok it is a testimony to his character that even if there are a couple who can be proved false there are just too many to say that its always going to be the woman who’s at fault. Im curious what brought you back to the catholic church. i to thought from what i had read that you were/Are mormon, mainly because you are very defensive on their behalf. mel

 

[Kristine1957]

Melmac: This may not be quite the same but you can have many friends here and we will talk to you anytime!
To bad you don’t live by me I would go to coffee with you and talk to you at Mass.

 

[melmac]

Melmac: This may not be quite the same but you can have many friends here and we will talk to you anytime!
To bad you don’t live by me I would go to coffee with you and talk to you at Mass.

Thanks Kristine, I have found this site a great source of comfort, to be able to express my thoughts and receive advice is wonderful. I’ve enjoyed reading of people’s experiences its informative and helpful and when a few get into a war of words its down right amusing.
PS if you find yourself Down Under drop by for a coffee